Monday, November 29, 2010

joyeux noel...

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend!  Mine was spent making my nest merry and bright for the holidays!  As I opened each tote full of decorations I realized how much my style has changed in the last year.  I also realized that I can not and do not want to keep everything that is not me any more.  I am not going to save it either just in case the kids might want it.  A few of their favorites have already been saved for their first nest so I did a major purge.  Less is more.  Of course after looking through the Jeanne d'Arc Living Christmas special edition over and over again and not wanting to spend a lot of money at this time of the year I think I did pretty good.  So today I am going to share with you my Paris Hotel Suite.  I started by going outside and gathering some pine branches and making a few small vignettes...

I simply put a few sprigs in this sweet little shoe and added one of my Nana's vintage pins.  For the table next to my big comfy white chair I went through a few tries before I ended up with this...

I picked up a couple of these petite baskets at the shop.  I keep the heart ornament on the lamp year round so I just added a little pine sprig...
This next vignette holds a little something special...
Remember my Dad's certificat de bapteme that I shared with you?  Well I found another special piece with it...
My Nana's rosary beads which I thought would be perfect with my little french catechism book.  It is so pretty ~ just look at the detail...
I also filled my little french etched glass with some petite sparkly ornaments...

This next vignette holds two little wrapped balsam sachets that were my Mom's.  You know, they still smell wonderful...

A few years ago I bought some teal bottle brush wreaths that I put on my mirrors.  I would prefer the vintage white ones but these are fine for now...


I also have a sparkly "Noel" from Wendy Addison...


The patina gets better every year with age.  I also have a pre-lit tree that I do not decorate.  I love sitting in my big comfy white chair at night, relaxing with a book and just enjoy the glowing lights...

Now I am sure there will be a few small changes here and there.  I need to find a little skirt for my tree (hopefully burlap) and I would like to fill the little basket next to it with some brown paper packages tied up with string as well as a bit more greenery.  I hope you enjoyed this first peek at the holidays in my home (as well as the song I just left in your head for the day)!!  It was during the holiday season last year, looking at every one's beautiful photos they were sharing of their homes that sealed the deal for me to start blogging myself.  I know my photography skills need....who am I kidding I don't have any photography skills...I hope to work on taking better photos this year.  Thanks so much for visiting today!  I will be sharing more of my holiday nest all week and hope you can come again!!  Joyeux Noel!!

P.S.  I forgot to mention that I am having a little sale in my Etsy shop today and tomorrow ~ 15% off everything!  

19 comments:

Jane said...

Your room looks beautiful! I love all the touches of white with the natural green. Good for you for perching what you don't need anymore. I seem to hold on to everything (1/2 of which I don't use anymore) so I need to follow your lead and do the same.
Have a great week.
Jane

awal.ny said...

I have that same magazine and the same thoughts ran through my head as I glanced at some of the pictures. I can't wait to get a cup of coffee and read from start to finish.

Tammy said...

I love your decor- keep going so I can see more.
tammy

Sandi said...

Beautiful decor Sandi! I thought I was done and found some more items I just have to use, but I am also weeding out things that are just not my style anymore. Happy Monday!
Blessings~

Unknown said...

oh you have decked the halls just beautifully ! J'adore! It is funny how our taste can change from one holiday to the next, han? Mine has changed a bit since last year as well and i think i will "teak your lead" and get rid of what is just not "moi" anymore. Maybe i'll do a xmas decorating swap with my BFF's around here? I love the teal wreaths but did you know that you can take ANY color bottle brush wreaths/trees and bleach them? They bleach out to look like the old cream ones we all love so much! all you need to do is soak them in a tub of bleach for just a few minutes.

michelle said...

Everything looks so pretty and what wonderful memories that you were able to show off!

Nice and Easy Antiques said...

This is exactly how I have been decorating lately: little touches here and there...vignettes holding a special memory and corners with just enough to make me stop and smile. Your room looks inviting and so so beautiful!

Passionate for White said...

You've been one busy girl and have the pictures to prove it. So, so pretty!

NanaDiana said...

Simply and softly beautiful. I have been pouring through my magazine too and wondering how much to do away with of my old stuff. Parting with some pieces will be hard for me...but I, too, am tired of holding onto things for "someday". Your vignettes are lovely...and meaningful! hugs-Diana

Anonymous said...

I think everything looks just perfect!

Kathy

Heaven's Walk said...

What sweet little vignettes, Sandi! Beautiful job! I hear you about decorating simply with just things that I truly love or that really mean something to hubby and me. That's why the certificate and rosary caught my eye. What a wonderful tribute. :) When this season is over, I'm definitely "decluttering" my holiday totes and simplifying even more!

xoxo laurie

Vicki said...

I love the way you are decorating this year and can't wait to see more! This Catholic girl thinks the rosary beads are the perfect touch to that vignette too! You know you could bleach the teal bottle brush wreaths if you really wanted to? I have some tall (over a foot) ones that were green. I soaked them in a 5 gallon bucket with bleach and water until they were a nice shade of off white. It was fun! Take care. Be back for more.

Burlap Luxe said...

So soulful...Everything is so beautiful and it all works together vintage in style. Thank you girl for your visit and beautiful comment as to my Merry Christmas sign.

See you soon girl, have a beautiful week inspiring more beauty.
xx
Cheers
Dore

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

I know just what you mean about the old decorations not measuring up any more! I have two tubs full of those left after decorating my house. I just couldn't use them.

I like what you have done, and you are right, the brown paper packages and burlap will be the perfect touches to top it off.

One Cheap B*tch said...

You did a gorgeous job decorating! I really love the wreaths over the mirrors!

Jeanine

Patti @ Pandoras Box said...

Very lovely - I love the simpler look, but just can't seem to achieve it! I have also purged a bit of the old handmade crap I had been holding on to - and I have more crap from the Christmas Tree Shops from when I lived on the Cape - so, piece by piece, I am sending them to GoodWill (and hopefully won't buy them back LOL)

Anonymous said...

Oh,
Everything looks so beautiful!!
I know what you mean about your style changing, I have tons of Christmas stuff that I just don't need anymore because my style has changed. Can't wait to see how you decorate your tree!
Have a great week.
Sincerely,
Melinda

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

I LOVE these vignettes Sandi! The 'Paris Hotel Suite' theme is gorgeous. You have a knack for putting things together in a lovely way & taking great photos. I can relate with you on the photography skills. I've just got a point & shoot camera & don't know how best to use it. Happy decorating!
- Susan

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

More lovely photos!! I love the simplicity of the white with bits of color sprinkled in here and there. :)

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